> Source: https://thecastindex.com/modelling/united-states — application routes checked 2026-10-01. Generated at build time from the same data the page serves.

# How to become a model in the United States

Apply directly through an agency’s own website: most New York, Los Angeles and Miami agencies use online forms and ask for unedited phone snapshots. New York’s Fashion Workers Act bars signing fees and requires model management companies to register with the state; California and Florida bar talent agencies from charging registration fees.

## Agencies and their official application routes

- **IMG Models New York** (New York) — online form: https://getscouted.imgmodels.com/; height: The form asks for your height. The page states no minimum.; age: Applications from age 14. Under-18s need a legal guardian’s consent, and a guardian must attend any in-person meeting or video call.; safety: Says it never asks for nude or lingerie photos, never requires payment, charges no fee to apply or to sign, and does not interview over Skype.
- **The Society Management** (New York) — online form: https://thesocietymanagement.com/become-model.web; height: The form asks for your height. The page states no minimum.; age: The application is intended for applicants aged 16 to 23. Under-18s need a parent’s or legal guardian’s approval, and a parent or guardian must attend any meeting.
- **DNA Model Management** (New York) — email: https://www.dnamodels.com/submissions/; height: Asks you to include your height. The page states no minimum.; safety: Says it does not ask for nude or lingerie pictures, does not charge a fee to view your pictures and does not interview over FaceTime.
- **Wilhelmina Models New York** (New York) — online form: https://www.wilhelmina.com/become-a-model; height: The form asks for your height. The page states no minimum.; age: The form says minors must ask a parent’s or legal guardian’s authorisation.
- **Next Management New York** (New York) — online form: https://nextmanagement.com/recruitment; open call: Next says open calls are cancelled until further notice.; height: Height is a required field on the form. The page states no minimum.; safety: Says it will never request nude or undergarment photos or any payment, and does not interview over Skype.
- **Ford Models New York** (New York) — online form: https://fordmodels.com/get-scouted; open call: Ford says it is not currently holding open calls in New York, Los Angeles or Miami.; height: The form asks for your height. The page states no minimum.; safety: Says you should never pay to attend a casting and never share nude or lingerie photos.
- **The Industry Model Management** (New York) — online form: https://www.theindustrymgmt.com/be-discovered; open call: The Industry says it does not hold open calls.; height: Lists a height of 5ft 8in and above.; age: Lists an age range of 15 to 25; minors under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.; safety: Says you should never be asked to pay to attend a casting or to send nude or lingerie photos.
- **Marilyn Agency New York** (New York) — online form: https://www.marilyn-ny.com/become-a-model/; open call: Marilyn says it does not host open calls or accept walk-ins.; height: The form asks for your height. The page states no minimum.
- **Muse Model Management** (New York) — email: https://www.musenyc.com/contact; open call: Thursdays, 3pm–4pm.; height: Prefers women to be at least 5ft 9in and men at least 5ft 11in.; age: Under-18s should make sure their parents know about their modelling goals; Muse says it follows New York State guidelines for minors.; safety: Warns about illegitimate offers: if someone says they are from Muse, verify with the agency and check they use a Muse email address.
- **The Lions** (New York) — online form: https://www.thelionsmanagement.com/get-scouted; height: The form asks for your height. The page states no minimum.
- **Supreme Management New York** (New York) — online form: https://www.suprememanagement.com/new-york/become.web; height: The form asks for your height. The page states no minimum.; age: Parent or guardian details are required for minors.
- **Storm Management Los Angeles** (Los Angeles) — online form: https://www.stormmanagement-la.com/apply-la/; height: The form asks for your height. The page states no minimum.; age: Applicants aged 18 or younger must complete the form with a parent or guardian.
- **Select Model Management Los Angeles** (Los Angeles) — online form and open call: https://apply.selectmodel.com/; open call: First and third Tuesday of the month, 3pm–4pm; closed on public holidays.; height: For the Los Angeles open call: 5ft 8in to 6ft 4in, or 6ft and up if you are male-identifying.; age: Open call: 14 and over; under-18s should be accompanied by a parent or guardian.; safety: Says never to share nude or underwear photos and never to pay to attend an open call.
- **Women Management Los Angeles** (Los Angeles) — online form: https://www.womenmanagement.com/los-angeles/become.web; height: The form asks for your height. The page states no minimum.; age: Parent or guardian details are required for minors.

## How agencies recruit

- Open calls are now rare. Next has cancelled them until further notice and Ford is not holding them in New York, Los Angeles or Miami; Muse (Thursdays) and Select Los Angeles (first and third Tuesdays) still publish times. (https://nextmanagement.com/recruitment)
- Agencies want natural snapshots, not a paid portfolio. The Society says phone photos taken by a friend or family member are perfectly acceptable; The Industry and Women Management say no experience or professional photos are needed. (https://thesocietymanagement.com/become-model.web)
- One form can cover several offices: Wilhelmina, Next, Ford and The Industry let you choose New York, Los Angeles or Miami on the same application. (https://www.wilhelmina.com/become-a-model)
- Most agencies reply only if they are interested. Storm Los Angeles contacts shortlisted applicants only, and Marilyn asks applicants not to chase their submission. (https://www.stormmanagement-la.com/apply-la/)
- In New York, check for a Fashion Workers Act registration. IMG, The Society, Wilhelmina and Marilyn publish their New York State certificates, each issued for two years and valid only for the address shown. (https://imgmodels.com/new-york-state-fashion-workers-act/)
- The New York State Department of Labor publishes a registry of model management companies and groups registered under the Act. (https://dol.ny.gov/model-management-companygroup-registry)

## Rules on fees, contracts and safeguarding

- New York’s Fashion Workers Act (Labor Law, Article 36) has applied since 19 June 2025; since 21 December 2025, model management companies and groups must register with the State Department of Labor. Source: https://dol.ny.gov/fashion
- New York model management companies may not require a deposit or charge a fee for signing, take more than 20 per cent commission, or create or use a model’s digital replica without separate written approval. Source: https://dol.ny.gov/responsibilities-fashion-management-and-clients
- In New York, print and runway models under 18 need a Child Performer Permit from the Department of Labor, and employers must put at least 15 per cent of their earnings into a trust account. Source: https://dol.ny.gov/child-model-frequently-asked-questions
- California talent agencies must hold a licence from the Labor Commissioner and quote the licence number in their advertising; the law’s definition of artists includes models. Source: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=LAB&sectionNum=1700.5
- California talent agencies may not collect a registration fee. Source: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=LAB&sectionNum=1700.40
- In California, employing a minor under 16 as an advertising or photographic model requires a permit from the Labor Commissioner. Source: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=LAB&sectionNum=1308.5
- Florida talent agencies need a state licence to operate. Source: https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2026/468.403
- Florida talent agencies may not charge a registration fee, or make you buy photography services, classes or workshops as a condition of registering or finding work. Source: https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2026/468.410
- The Federal Trade Commission says never to pay an agency up front: any agency asking for money to represent you is a scam, and agencies shouldn’t make using their photographer a condition of getting work. Source: https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/modeling-scams

## Official model searches

- IMG Models — “We Love Your Genes” / Get Scouted: https://getscouted.imgmodels.com/ — IMG’s year-round online scouting form for all its offices, including New York and Los Angeles. Applicants must be at least 14; under-18s need a legal guardian’s consent.
- Next Management — Get Scouted: https://nextmanagement.com/recruitment — Next’s online recruitment form, with New York, Los Angeles and Miami among the offices you can choose. Open calls are cancelled until further notice.
- Select Model Management — Los Angeles open call: https://apply.selectmodel.com/open-call/los-angeles — Held on the first and third Tuesday of each month, 3pm–4pm, except public holidays. Ages 14 and over; under-18s should come with a parent or guardian.

## FAQ

### Do US modelling agencies charge a fee to apply?

They should not. New York’s Fashion Workers Act bars model management companies from requiring a deposit or fee for signing, California and Florida bar talent agencies from charging registration fees, and the FTC says any agency asking for money to represent you is a scam. IMG and Next say they never ask applicants for payment, and DNA says it charges no fee to view your pictures.

### How do I check that a New York agency is registered?

The State Department of Labor publishes a registry of model management companies and groups registered under the Fashion Workers Act. IMG, The Society, Wilhelmina and Marilyn also publish their registration certificates on their own websites.

### Do I need professional photos to apply?

No. The Society, The Industry, Women Management and The Lions all say professional photos are not needed. Send recent, unedited phone snapshots with no make-up: usually a close-up, a profile and a full-length shot.

### How do I check that a scout is real?

Use the agency’s own published contacts. Ford staff email only from fordmodels.com addresses; DNA, Next and Wilhelmina ask you to call an office. IMG and Next say they do not interview over Skype, and DNA says it does not interview over FaceTime.

### Can under-18s apply to US agencies?

Yes, with a parent or guardian involved. IMG accepts applications from 14 with a guardian’s consent, The Society from 16 with parental approval, and The Industry says minors must be accompanied by an adult. Storm LA asks under-18s to complete the form with a parent or guardian.

## Sources

- NYS Department of Labor — Fashion Workers Act: https://dol.ny.gov/fashion
- NYS DOL — child model FAQs: https://dol.ny.gov/child-model-frequently-asked-questions
- California Labor Code — talent agencies (ch. 4): https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displayText.xhtml?lawCode=LAB&division=2.&title=&part=6.&chapter=4.&article=
- Florida Statutes § 468.410: https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2026/468.410
- FTC Consumer Advice — modeling scams: https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/modeling-scams
- IMG Models — Get Scouted: https://getscouted.imgmodels.com/
- IMG Models — under-18 FAQ: https://imgmodels.com/under-18-faq/
- Next Management — recruitment: https://nextmanagement.com/recruitment
- Wilhelmina — become a model: https://www.wilhelmina.com/become-a-model
- Ford Models — get scouted: https://fordmodels.com/get-scouted
- The Society Management — get scouted: https://thesocietymanagement.com/become-model.web
- Select — Los Angeles open call: https://apply.selectmodel.com/open-call/los-angeles